The usefulness of measuring n-butyric acid concentration as a new indicator of blood decomposition in forensic autopsy

In forensic medicine, although various alcohols have been reported as indicators of decomposition in collected blood, no studies have examined short-chain fatty acids as indicators. In this study, the blood n-butyric acid concentration was quantified, and the association between n-butyric acid and decomposition was investigated to determine whether the detection of n-butyric acid could be a new indicator of decomposition. Among the forensic autopsies performed from 2016 to 2018 in our laboratory, the cases were divided into decomposed (n = 20) and non-decomposed (n = 20) groups based on macroscopic findings. Blood samples collected at the time of autopsy were derivatized with 3-nitrophenylhydrazine hydrochloride after solid-phase extraction. The n-butyric acid concentration was measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, ethanol and n-propanol were measured using a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the concentrations of n-butyric acid between the decomposed and non-decomposed groups (0.343 ± 0.259 [0.030–0.973] and 0.003 ± 0.002 [0.001–0.007] mg/mL, respectively). In the decomposed group, n-butyric acid was detected at high concentrations, even in cases where n-propanol was low. These results suggest that n-butyric acid is more likely to be an indicator of blood decomposition than n-propanol.     

Comparison of mechanical properties between Nice knot,Modified Nice knot,and surgeon's knot

BackgroundThe success of surgical repairs rely on the effectiveness and integrity of the surgical knots used to secure the repair. The purpose of this study is to examine and compare the performance of the Nice knot, the modified Nice knot, and a commonly used combination of surgeons' and square knots with respect to cyclic loading and load-to-failure usiflueng a high-strength suture composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene in the hands of experienced surgeons.MethodsTwo experienced surgeons threw 3 different knot types 9 times, consisting of the Nice knot, modified Nice knot, and a surgeon's knot utilizing Ultrabraid #2 sutures. Each knot was subject to cyclic loading and load to failure testing.FindingsBoth surgeons had similar displacement data for the surgeon's knot, while the identity of the surgeon impacted displacement for the Nice knot (p = 0.03) and the modified Nice knot (p = 0.0002). The load to failure for the modified Nice knot (p < 0.001) and the Nice knot (p = 0.001) were significantly impacted by the surgeon tying the knot, while the surgeon's knot was not. Specimens failed where the sutures passed through the loop at the “base” of the knot.InterpretationsThe strength and integrity of complex surgical knots are variable between surgeons. While the proposed Modified Nice Knot has a theoretical advantage because the half hitches reinforce the primary knot, in load to failure testing both the Modified Nice Knot and the Nice Knot failed where the suture passed through the loop in the primary knot.     

Promote social participation among older persons by identifying physical challenges – An important aspect of preventive home visits

IntroductionSocial participation can have a positive impact on health; however, physical challenges can be hindrances. During a preventive home visit a health professional (visitor) assesses different aspects of physical, mental and social health. However, there might be a challenge for the visitor to discover the interrelationship between physical factors that hinder social participation. Therefore, the aim of this study was, in the context of preventive home visits, to identify physical factors which can hinder older persons from taking part in social contexts.MethodsCross-sectional register data from preventive home visits to older persons (n = 1245, ≥77 years old, without home care) was used. Data was collected during a period of 17 months, in seven Swedish municipalities. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between physical factors and the item physical problems hindering social participation.ResultsThe mean age was 78.8 (standard deviation 1.8 years), and 55% were women. The physical factors significantly associated with physical problems hindering taking part in social contexts were: having urinary incontinence (women only), having pain, impaired endurance and using a mobility device.ConclusionsThis study provides insights into how to make the best use of the questions asked during preventive home visits, in order to enable older persons to take part in social contexts. The results recognize the importance of taking into account physical challenges to be able to support social participation. Furthermore, considering physical challenges for social participation on both an individual and a societal level might reduce inequalities among older persons.     

The apex angle of the rocker sole affects the posture and gait stability of healthy individuals

BackgroundRocker sole (RS) shoes have been linked to impaired postural control. However, which features of RS design affect balance is unclear.Research questionWhich RS design features affect standing balance and gait stability?MethodsThis study utilized an intervention and cross-over design. Twenty healthy young adults (10 males and 10 females) participated in this study. Standing balance and gait stability were measured using a single force platform and three-dimensional motion analysis system, respectively. The experimental conditions included the control shoe and five RS shoes in the combination of apex position (%) and apex angle (degree) for RS50-95, RS60-95, RS70-95, RS60-70, and RS60-110. The main outcome measures were the area surrounding the maximal rectangular amplitude, mean path length, average displacement of the center of pressure along the lateral and anterior/posterior directions, and maximal center of pressure excursion as the standing balance and lateral margin of stability as the gait stability. Statistical analyses were conducted using a two-way split-plot analysis of variance with repeated measures (with RS design as the within-subject factor and sex as the between-subject factor) and the Bonferroni post hoc test (α = .05).ResultsRegarding the mean path length, RS60-70 was significantly longer than the control shoe, and it showed a significantly increased lateral margin of stability. Thus, RS60-70 was shown to affect standing balance, limit of stability, and gait stability of the frontal plane during gait.SignificanceThese results suggest that the apex angle of the RS design feature affects standing balance and gait stability, and RS60-70 is detrimental to stability. Therefore, when RS with a small apex angle is prescribed, it is necessary to consider the patient’s balance ability.     

WNT10A variants: following the pattern of inheritance in tooth agenesis and self-reported family history of cancer

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aim of this study was the analysis of WNT10A variants in seven families of probands with various forms of tooth agenesis and self-reported family history of...     

Internalization and cytotoxicity effects of carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles in murine endothelial cells: Studies on internal dosages due to loaded mass agglomerates

Carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles (CEINs) qualified as metal-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials offer a potential scope for an increasing number of biomedical applications. In this study, we have focused on the investigation of cellular fate and resulting cytotoxic effects of CEINs synthesized using a carbon arc route and studied in murine endothelial (HECa-10) cells. The CEIN samples were characterized as pristine (the mean diameter between 47 and 56 nm) and hydrodynamic (the mean diameter between 270 and 460 nm) forms and tested using a battery of methods to determine the cell internalization extent and cytotoxicity effects upon to the exposures (0.0001–100 μg/ml) in HECa-10 cells. Our studies evidenced that the incubation with CEINs for 24 h is accompanied with substantial changes of Zeta potential in cells which can be considered as a key factor for affecting the membrane transport, cellular distribution and cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles. The results demonstrate that CEINs have entered the endothelial cell through the endocytic pathway rather than by passive diffusion and they were mainly loaded as agglomerates on the cell membrane and throughout the cytoplasm, mitochondria and nucleus. The studies show that CEINs induce the mitochondrial and cell membrane cytotoxicities in a dose-dependent manner resulting from the internal dosages due to CEIN agglomerates. Our results highlight the importance of the physicochemical characterization of CEINs in studying the magnetic nanoparticle–endothelial cell interactions because the CEIN mass agglomerates can sediment more or less rapidly in culture models.     

负载IL-4及BMP-2的氧化石墨烯-羧甲基壳聚糖凝胶对骨免疫和骨修复的早期影响研究

目的探讨负载 IL-4 和 BMP-2 的氧化石墨烯（graphene oxide，GO）-羧甲基壳聚糖（carboxymethyl chitosan，CMC）凝胶诱导巨噬细胞 M2 型分化及对 BMSCs 成骨分化的影响002;方法取 CMC001;GO 制备混合溶液后，分别添加 PBS001;IL-4001;BMP-2 或 IL-4+BMP-2，在交联剂作用下制备单纯或负载不同因子的 GO-CMC 凝胶支架；取单纯 GO-CMC 凝胶表征观测，包括大体001;扫描电镜及傅里叶变换红外吸收光谱仪（Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy，FTIR）检测，以单纯 CMC 凝胶作为对照；取负载不同因子的 GO-CMC 凝胶行体外缓释实验002;取 4～5 周龄 SPF 级 SD 雌性大鼠分离培养巨噬细胞，分别与单纯以及负载不同因子的 GO-CMC 凝胶培养，24 h 后行 CD206 免疫荧光检测巨噬细胞分化情况；取第 3 代大鼠 BMSCs 分别与单纯以及负载不同因子的 GO-CMC 凝胶成骨诱导培养，10 d 后行 ALP 染色观测早期成骨，21 d 行茜素红染色观测晚期成骨002;结果大体观察 GO-CMC 凝胶呈棕色001;半 00f;明状；扫描电镜观察示，GO-CMC 凝胶孔径及孔壁厚度与单纯 CMC 凝胶相似，但内壁粗糙度增加；FTIR 检测显示 CMC 发生聚合形成凝胶002;体外缓释实验示 3 种负载不同因子的 GO-CMC 凝胶缓释性能相似，均呈线性缓慢释放因子002;CD206 免疫荧光检测示 GO-CMC 凝胶可诱导巨噬细胞 M2 型分化，ALP 及茜素红染色示 GO-CMC 凝胶可诱导 BMSCs 成骨分化；其中负载 IL-4+BMP-2 的 GO-CMC 凝胶作用g00;显著（P&#x0003c;0.05）002; 结论负载 IL-4 和 BMP-2 的 GO-CMC 凝胶可诱导巨噬细胞 M2 型分化，增强 BMSCs 成骨分化能力，为后期骨缺损修复及骨免疫调节研究提供了新的策略002;